Categories
Mental Health

2022 Mental Health Awareness Month

Action is needed to help curb the growing realities of mental health issues among adults and youths. Today may be the last day of #mentalhealthawarenessmonth but our work to improve our mental health is something that extends more than a month – we must be aware and act everyday. 

For example, recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study shows evidence of ‘persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness’ growing among United States high school students throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Per @WHO, full death toll associated directly or indirectly with the COVID-19 pandemic (described as “excess mortality”) between January 1, 2020 and December 31, 2021 was approximately 14.9 million deaths (with a range from 13.3 to 16.6 million).

One of key takeaway from the @CDCgov study:
-> Poor mental health, persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness, and suicidal thoughts and behaviors were LESS PREVALENT among those who felt CLOSE TO PEOPLE at school and were virtually connected with others during the pandemic.

🎥 Check out “Speaking on Mental Health” below – it was created by students & supported by @DirectChangeCA @takeactionformh @LACDMH

Categories
COVID-19 Pandemic

“Vaccine, vaccine, vaccine, vaccine. I’m begging of you please don’t hesitate.”

“Vaccine, vaccine, vaccine, vaccine. I’m begging of you please don’t hesitate.”

Using celebrities to help lower the burden for adoption of a public health action may not have always worked, as there are many factors that shape a person’s desire for behavior change. Still, the vaccine campaign that Vanderbilt University & Dolly Parton organically put together should hopefully help reduce the burden of the rising skepticism with getting the vaccines in the United States.

Categories
COVID-19 Pandemic

Protects Me, Protects You

Inspiring campaign by Brigg Reilley and team. Brigg founded it after losing a close family member to COVID-19 and seeing the disproportionate COVID-19 impact on Native American communities. The goal of the “Protects Me, Protects You” campaign (link in comment) is to build confidence in getting vaccinated. All the graphics and messaging (already translated over 20 languages and more on the way) are simple and FREE tools which any of us can use in our organizations, communities, and social circles to share hope and positive messaging during this phase of COVID-19.